University of Waterloo students react to return of gender issues class after stabbing

Students at the University of Waterloo are continuing to grapple with what happened on their campus last Wednesday.

Last week, police were called to the university campus for reports of a stabbing in a classroom.

The alleged stabbings took place during a Philosophy 202/Gender and Social Justice 222 course located in Hagey Hall.

Police charged a 24-year-old man in connection with last week’s attack.

Police believe the stabbings were hate-motivated and targeted the specific topic of the course being taught. Two students and one professor were sent to the hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

The President of University of Waterloo, Vivek Goel said Tuesday afternoon on social media that the class would continue.

Students on campus are reacting to the news of the class continuing despite the violence that happened one week ago.

Henry is a student at the university and believes people should have the option of which classes they choose to go to.

“People should have the option to choose what class to go to and have that availability,” said Henry, “I think they made the right choice keeping that class open.”

Monica is a former student at UW telling CityNews Kitchener that she feels differently than Henry.

“I was really surprised that they are continuing the class. I think that’s interesting,” said Monica, “I do think it’s important to talk about the issues (…) but who’s going to really come to class to discuss these issues with that trauma?”

Samantha said their minor is in Gender and Social Justice Studies at the university and added their concern of safety around attending classes.

“It’s scary,” said Samantha, “I do hope that the university is taking preventative measures to make sure something like this never happens again.”

Despite those concerns, Samantha feels like the topic still needs to be taught.

“I think that not doing it anymore would be a mistake. It’s an important course and topic. Maybe if it needed to be moved online then it should be to protect the students who are involved in the class. The course material itself needs to be taught, it’s an important topic.”